The Face Of War - Free Newsletters

The United States military has been amassing an air campaign in which a variety of military targets have been hit, some repeatedly. And as the war has continued, the world has seemingly become more polarized.

In all honesty, though, it's hard for me to spend much time thinking about a war in a distant land. The only time the conflict in the Middle East has really hit home with me was during a recent field trip. We were taking a class of first graders up the front steps of the public library, and we passed three African American women in full Islamic dress.

In a brief exchange of glances, I saw the face of Islam. I searched the faces of the women, and I wondered what they thought of "Christian America"—which is how many Muslims label the United States—waging war in an Islamic country. Quickly my mind moved to the question of their salvation: How would they ever listen to the gospel now?

One danger of the war in the Middle East is that many in the West will see all Muslims as terrorists and fanatics. This just simply isn't true. The vast majority of Muslims were as shocked and disgusted by the events of September 11 as were Christians and Jews. They believe that to murder one man is to murder the entire world.

The challenge for the church is to remain above the politics of the moment and to keep an eternal perspective. Christians must understand Islam is a faith and a way of life for billions of people, and begin to build bridges to the Islamic people in our own neighborhoods. Part of being shrewd and innocent is being equipped and ready to share the good news of Jesus Christ, in love.

— Matt Donnelly, for the ChristianityToday.com staff

P.S. To prepare yourself for building bridges to people of the Islamic faith, you may want to learn more about the Koran. Visit here for an explanation of the Koran.